Actuator fountain brush



Feb. 15, 1966 J. A. MOYNIHAN ACTUATOR FOUNTAIN BRUSH Filed July 23, 1962FIG.2

FIG.4

FIG.

JOHN A. MOYNIHAN INVENTOR.

ATTORNEY United States Patent 3,234,953 ACTUATQR FOUNTAIN ERUSH John A.Moynihan, 2% Lexington t., Springfield, Mass. Filed July 23, 1962, Ser.No. 211,681 '7 Claims. (Cl. 132-84 This invention relates to fountainbrushes. More particularly the invention relates to fountaintoothbrushes for self-containing dentifrice in form for readyapplication.

In my now abandoned application Serial No. 87,902, filed February 8,1961, there is described a novel, simple in structure, convenient to usefountain brush. The aforementioned fountain brush includes aself-supporting elastic container-handle utilizing a simple slidingengagement with a detachable brush body. The elastic containerhandle iscompressed to emit, e.g., a dentifrice medium. After compression isrelieved, the container restores itself to its original shape. Thepresent invention is directed to an improvement over my copendingfountain brush particularly useful for children.

The aforementioned invention includes a novel discharge tube disposedconveniently out of the Way of the working surface while enhancing theapplicaiton of dentrifice to the bristles.

While the fountain brush described in my copending application is simpleto operate, I have recognized the desire to provide stimuli to encouragechildren to regularly brush their teeth. I have, therefore, provided inmy present invention a means for attracting the attention of children,e.g., the creation of whistling noises, beeps or bubbles in cooperationwith the use of my improved fountain brush. As the container containingthe dentifrice is compressed, it causes compression of a secondcontaincr within the dentifrice container. In one embodiment,compression of the second container causes air to be dischargedtherefrom through anorifice causing a whistling noise. In anotherembodiment the second container may contain soap and water causingbubbles to be emitted. It is contemplated that the attraction tochildren of these stimuli will encourage them to regularly use thefountain brush for dental hygiene.

It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide animproved fountain brush particularly useful to children.

In accordance with the present invention, there is provided a fountainbrush for simultaneously emitting a plurality of media. A compressibleelastic container for an emittable medium is included. The container hasan emitting orifice for emitting the medium upon compression. A secondcompressible elastic container is disposed at least partially Within thefirst conatiner and coupled thereto. The second container has anemitting orifice for emitting a second medium without the firstcontainer in pressure response to compression of the first container. Abrush body has a brush element extending therefrom. A medium passagewayis formed in the body. The passageway communicateswith an input port andterminates in an output port in coupling proximity with the brushelement. Coupling means are provided for coupling the first containerorifice and the body input for adapting the body to receive the mediumupon compression of the first container. Discharge means are coupled tothe body output port for discharging the first medium upon compressionof the first container.

For a better understanding of the present invention, together with otherand further objects thereof, reference is made to the followingdescription taken in connection with the accompanying drawings and itsscope will be pointed out in the appended claims.

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In the drawings:

FIG. 1 is a sectional view of a fountain brush embodying the presentinvention;

FIG. 2 is an enlarged, fragmentary, side sectional view of amodification of the brush part in FIG. 1 illustrating a novel dischargenozzle;

FIG. 3 is a sectional View taken through line 2-2 in FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a front elevational view of a fountain brush embodying thisinvention.

Referring now to the drawings and with particular reference to FIG. 1,there is here illustrated a fountain brush embodying the presentinvention. The fountain brush as shown in particularly suitable forapplying dentrifrice to the teeth. The term dentifrice as used hereinincludes both toothhpaste, a viscous, fiowable fluid medium, as well aspowder. It will be apparent from the structure that the invention isuseful with both media.

As shown in FIG. 1, the fountain brush is generally indicated at 1%. Thebrush includes three major parts, a container-handle 1&1 in which thedentifrice is stored, a brush body 1492 and an inner container 1%.Extending from the brush body 102 are a plurality of bristle groups TM.

in operation, dentifrice is emitted to the bristle groups 194!- bysqueezing the container-handle 101. The compression of the container 101causes the inner container to be compressed by the transmittal ofpressure, through the dentifrice, from the outer container 101 to thewall of the inner container 1&3 in the preferred embodiment. Compressionof the inner container causes air to be discharged therefrom through awhistle or other noise producing device at its open end. It is believedthat these latter effects will encourage children to use the fountainbrush.

The container fill, as shown, is formed in several coaxial parts with anintermediate cylindrical member 105 extending from the main body and acylindrical, throat 1% at the emitting end and extending from the member105. Around the throat 1% is an external thread 197 integrally formedtherewith. A threaded cap, such as shown in FIG. 4, may be used to capthe container for storage. It will be apparent that while a threadedcoupling is shown for capping the brush, other couplings such as slidingcouplings may be also used.

In order to make the device further attractive for children, thethreaded cap may be in a shape that is normally attractive to children,e.g., an animal head, popular cartoon or popular child character as willbe explained in connection with the description of FIG. 4.

The container may be stored in a self-supporting position on end withthe threaded end up in contrast, e.g., with a toothpaste tube. The brushpart 162 is inserted into the container threat 1% to form a junctionlild. The respective diameters of the brush body 102 and throat 1% atthe juncture N8 are chosen so as to provide a seal for the toothpasteunder squeezing pressure in order to prevent leakage of the dentifricefrom the cylinder 161 to the exterior of the throat 1%. The juncture 103may therefore either be a line-to-line fit or a slight press fit. It isdesirable that the brush body 192 be readily manually separable from thecontainer handle 101 for cleaning the brush after use.

The container part, as shown, is an integrally formed, compressibleelastic container for an emittable medium such as a dentifrice. Thecontainer characteristically is restored to its original shape aftercompression, as, for example, by squeezing the container. The containeris typically formed, for example, from a polyethylene. The dentifrice isemitted to the emitting orifice 117.

In the brush part 102, a passageway extends from an input port 111through an output port 112 through an input chamber 113. The brush bodyis formed with an insert member 114 having the input port 111 at its endand communicating with the passageway 110 through the chamber :113 inthe member 114. The brush body is preferably integrally formed with ashoulder 115 to provide a stop when inserting the brush into thecontainer. The member 114 is preferably tapered to engage the containerin sealed relation to prevent leakage or seepage of fluid.

In operation the container 101 is filled with a suitable dentifrice. Thebrush part 102 is inserted into the throat 106 of the container-handle101. The throat is preferably resilient for receiving the brush part inslideable engagement and in sealed relation.

By compressing the wall of the container 101, the dentifrice is forcedunder pressure through the container emitting orifice 117, the brushpart input port 111, input chamber 113 and passageway 110 out throughthe discharge port 112. The brush may be held at a desirable angle tocause the denttifrice to fiow along the brush. Note that the port 112 isin coupling proximity with the bristles 104.

When the brush has been used for dental hygiene, the brush part 102 maybe removed for flushing with water and the container capped. The brush,however, performs satisfactorily by merely rinsing with water after useand storage without removing the brush part 102. Since the container 101promptly restores itself to its original shape, the brush may be storedsimply by setting it on end in the manner common with bottles.

A single container-handle may be used for a plurality of brush parts.When the container is emptied it may be refilled. When the brush part isWorn away, a replacement may be inserted in place.

Mounted within the container-handle 101 is a second compressible elasticcontainer 103. The container 103 is coupled to the container-handle 101through a Whistle 120 shown in FIG. 1, at the surface 126 shown in FIGS.1 and 2. FIG. 2 is a section taken through the containerhandle at line22 in FIG. 1. The inner container 103 is preferably cylindrical inshape. Like the outer container, the inner container is preferably anintegrally formed compressible elastic container for an emittablemedium, for example, as for a solution of soap and water or air. Theinner container characteristically is restored to its original shapeafter it is compressed. It is compressed in response to compression ofthe outer container 101. The compressive forces are transmitted throughthe emittable medium stored in the container-handle 101 from the wall ofthe container-handle 101 to the wall 121 of the inner container 103.

The inner container 103 has a closure 122 formed in one end. At itsopposite end it is opened, and in the preferred embodiment is bonded toa whistle 120. The whistle 120 has a central opening therein 123 whichprovides an emitting orifice for the inner container 103. The whistle120 and inner container unit may be press fitted into the opening 124 orbonded along the walls of the opening 124 at the surface 126 to thecontainer-handle 101. As shown in FIG. 1, the container-handle 101preferably has a fiat bottom 125 so that the entire unit may be storedin an upright position in contrast to a toothpaste tube.

While the inner container 103 has been described in conjunction with awhistle 120, it will be apparent that with slight modifications theinner container may be adapted to dispense a soapy solution in the formof bubbles, or made to provide noises other than a Whistling sound thatmight be attractive to children,

The brush part shown in section in FIG. 3 illustrates a novel dischargenozzle 130 with a pair of opposed discharge channels 131 and 132communicating with a main discharge channel 133. The height of thenozzle, as

1 shown, is below the working surface of the brush and formed from arelatively soft material such as rubber or soft plastic.

The channels 131 and 132 form an angle A with respect to the uppersurface as shown of the brush body 102 to direct the dentifrice alongthe working surface of the brush. The angle A may be varied from 0 tofor directing the fiow of dentifrice along the brush. An angle of 45 hasbeen found to be particularly useful.

Referring now to FIG. 4-, there is here illustrated the fountain brushof FIG. 1 with the cap 135 in place. As shown, the cap has an animalhead 136 at its upper extreme. The animal head or other type ofcaricature will aid in making the fountain brush attractive to children.

The fountain brush of the present invention eliminates the need fortoothpaste tubes and caps. The brush can be refilled and a singlecontainer utilized by a plurality of users, each with his own brushinsert. The brush is simple, compact and extremely portable. Properdental hygiene can be practiced at all times. The brush easily fits suitor pants pockets, purses, lunch boxes, school bags, etc. Magnets may beattached to the brush or cover to provide ready storage againstferromagnetic members. In addition, the brush may be modified to providevalving action as illustrated in my copending application U.S. SerialNo. 87,902 filed February 8, 1961.

While there have been described what are at present considered to bepreferred embodiments of this invention, it will be obvious to thoseskilled in the art that various changes and modifications may be madetherein Without departing from the invention, and it is, therefore,aimed in the appended claims to cover all such changes and modificationsas fall fairly within the true spirit and scope of the invention.

What is claimed is:

1. A fountain toothbrush for simultaneously emitting a plurality ofmedia, comprising:

a compressible, elastic container for an emittable, dentifrice medium,said container having an emitting orifice for emitting said medium uponcompression of said container;

a second compressible, elastic container disposed at least partiallywithin said first container and coupled thereto, said second containerhaving an emitting orifice for emitting a second medium without saidfirst container in pressure response to compression of said firstcontainer;

a brush body having a brush element extending therefrom, a mediumpassageway being formed in said body communicating with an input portand terminating in an output port in coupling proximity said brushelement;

coupling means for coupling said first container orifice and said bodyinput port for adapting said body to receive said first medium uponcompression of said first container;

discharge means coupled to said body output port for discharging saidfirst medium upon compression of said first container, said secondcontainer being compressed in pressure response to said first containercompression whereby said plurality of media are simultaneously emitted,said emitting orifice of said second container being so oriented as toextend away from said brush element.

2. A fountain toothbrush for simultaneously emitting a plurality ofmedia, comprising:

a compressible, elastic container for an emittable, dentifrice medium,said container having an emitting orifice for emitting said medium uponcompression of said container;

a second compressible, elastic container disposed at least partiallywithin said first container and coupled thereto, said second containerhaving noise means coupled thereto including an emitting orifice forproducing audible noise as air from within said second container isdischarged from said second container through a second orifice inpressure response to compression of said first container;

a brush body having a brush element extending therea plurality of media,comprising:

a compressible, elastic container for an emittable, dentifrrce mednlm,said container having an emitting orifrom, a medium passageway beingformed in said 5 fice for emitting said medium upon compression of bodycommunicating with an input port and termisaid container; nating in anoutput port in coupling proximity said a second compressible, elasticcontainer disposed at bru h eleme t; least partially within said firstcontainer and coupled coupling means for coupling said first containerorifice thereto, said second container having an emitting oriand saidbody input port for adapting said body to fice for emitting a secondmedium wihout said first receive said medium upon compression of saidfirst container in pressure response to compression of container; saidfirst container; discharge means coupled to said body output port for abrush body having brush elements extending theredischarging said firstmedium upon compression of from, a medium passageway being formed insaid said first container, said second container being cornbodycommunicating with an input port and termipressed in pressure responseto said first container mating in an output port in coupling proximitysaid compression whereby said plurality of media are brush elements;simultaneously emitted, said emitting orifice of said coupling means forcoupling said first container orifice second container being so orientedas to extend away and said body input port for adapting said body tofrom said brush element. receive said medium upon compression of saidfirst 3. A fountain toothbrush for simultaneously emitting container; aplurality of media, comprising: a discharge tube extendingperpendicularly from said a compressible, elastic container for anemittable, dentibody output port for discharging said first medium fricemedium, said container having an emitting oriaxially in oppositedirections among said brush elef for emitting Said medium p Compressionof inents upon compression of said first container, said d colltalner;tube including a pair of opposed acute angle oriented a Second P P fi aQlastlc contal'ner dlsposed at discharge tubes and said second containerbeing comleast partlaily Wnhm sa1d fi1:stcnta1 ner and l l pressed inpressure response to said first container thfiretor sa1d f contamerhaYmg emltmig compression whereby said plurality of media are orificefor emitting a second medium without sa1d simultaneously emitted saidemittin f first container in pressure response to compression Second t bg 1 Ce 0 Sal of said first container; con amer eing so oriented as toextend away a brush body having brush elements extending therefrom saidb h elements,

from, a medium passageway being formed in Said 5. The combination ofclaim ll, wherein said second body communicating with an input port andtermimedium 15 am mating in an output Port in coupling proximity said 6.The combination of claim 1, wherein said second brush elements; mediumis a mixture of soap and a liquid. coupling means for coupling saidfirst container Ofi- 7. The combination of claim 3, wherein said acuteangle fice and said body input port for adapting said body is 45. toreceive said medium upon compression of said first container; ReferencesCited by the Examiner a discharge tube extending from said body outputport UNiTED STATES FATENTS for discharging said first medium among saidbrush lements upon compression of said first container, 1O62480 5/1913Lamcqu? 132*84 aid tube including an acute angle oriented discharge2303567 12/1942 TabPrskl 15-526 hannel for directing said first mediumand said sec- 2,321,265 6/1943 U'lvlck ond container being compressed inpressure response 2,425,474 8/ 1947 y- ,to said first containercompression whereby said plu- 2,510,269 6/1950 Winterrality of media aresimultaneously emitted, said emit- 2,661,870 12/ 1953 Huenergardt 222129X ting orifice of said second container being so oriented 0 as to extendaway from said brush elements. RICHARD A. GAUDET, Primary Examiner.

1. A FOUNTAIN TOOTHBRUSH FOR SIMULTANEOUSLY EMITTING A PLURALITY OFMEDIA, COMPRISING: A COMPRESSIBLE, ELASTIC CONTAINER FOR AN EMITTABLE,DENTIFRICE MEDIUM, SAID CONTAINER HAVING AN EMITTING ORIFICE FOREMITTING SAID MEDIUM UPON COMPRESSION OF SAID CONTAINER; A SECONDCOMPRESSIBLE, ELASTIC CONTAINER DISPOSED AT LEAST PARTIALLY WITHIN SAIDFIRST CONTAINER DISPOSED AT PLED THERETO, SAID SECOND CONTAINER HAVINGAN EMITTING ORIFICE FOR EMITTING A SECOND MEDIUM WITHOUT SAID FIRSTCONTAINER IN PRESSURE RESPONSE TO COMPRESSION OF SAID FIRST CONTAINER; ABRUSH BODY HAVING A BRUSH ELEMENT EXTENDING THEREFROM, A MEDIUMPASSAGEWAY BEING FORMED IN SAID BODY COMMUNICATING WITH AN INPUT PORTAND TERMINATING IN AN OUTPUT PORT IN COUPLING PROXIMITY SAID BRUSHELEMENT; COUPLING MEANS FOR COUPLING SAID FIRST CONTAINER ORIFICE ANDSAID BODY INPUT PORT FOR ADAPTING SAID BODY TO RECEIVE SAID FIRST MEDIUMUPON COMPRESSION OF SAID FIRST CONTAINER; DISCHARGE MEANS COUPLED TOSAID BODY OUTPUT PORT FOR DISCHARGING SAID FIRST MEDIUM UPON COMPRESSIONOF SAID FIRST CONTAINER, SAID SECOND CONTAINER BEING COMPRESSED INPRESSURE RESPONSE TO SAID FIRST CONTAINER COMPRESSION WHEREBY SAIDPLURALITY OF MEDIA ARE SIMULTANEOUSLY EMITTED, SAID EMITTING ORIFICE OFSAID SECOND CONTAINER BEING SO ORIENTED AS TO EXTEND AWAY FROM SAIDBRUSH ELEMENT.